Comic books and graphic novels delve into digital

Comic book visionaries are bringing their favorite characters to the iPad, in a multitude of ways, according to TrendCentral:

DC Comics’ Same Day Digital, now releases digital versions of their comics simultaneously with print editions. Available for iOS devices, Android handsets, and PCs, the comics are initially priced the same as the printed books ($2.99), but drop by $1.00 after four weeks. DC timed its digital launch with The New 52, a reboot of 52 iconic characters with updated stories, costume redesigns and a series reset to issue #1.

Chris Ware’s new work, Touch Sensitive, is a 99-cent comic available within the free McSweeney’s app -- which is great way to connect with a specific audience. Available only on the iPad, the 14 swipe-able pages of art and animation feature Ware’s trademark social commentary, contemporary layout, and annular characters.

And digital comics leader IDW Publishing, who offers several comic storefront apps, now has the largest collection of graphic novels available in the iBooks store to date. Titles include Dead Space, Dragon Age, and G.I. Joe: Hearts & Minds, all of which utilize the new fixed-layout ePub format, for $6-$10 a pop.

Do you enjoy digesting comics digitally?

The Art of Writing

The majority of my time at my job is spent working on a computer, typing. Whenever November comes around and I attempt to write holiday cards, it is not uncommon for me to literally get a cramp in my hand. How pathetic!

I wanted to share this awesome project, because many people are in a similar situation to mine-- the art of writing is slowly dying.

Ecriture Infinie is an art project by Bili Bidjocka: eight giant-sized books made of blank, silent pages placed around the world one at a time. Each installation includes a large writing desk, a lamp, a pen. One by one, people approach the pages and leave their mark. They are invited to write as if it were the last time they could write by hand. The focus is not so much on the words, but on the gesture, the flow of the pen on paper, recorded on video. When each book is completed, it is sealed, wrapped, and hidden in a secret place, as in a time capsule. Will the people who will find the books in thousands of years be able to decipher it?

Track the travel of the current eighth book here.